Composer Performer & Author
I am a composer working at reconciling the complexity, sophistication and evolution of classical music with the power, immediacy and collaboration of real time communication in jazz improvisation. For me compositions are usually platforms to enable realtime performances in order to be in the present moment.
It is fun to combine the artistry and technical skill of a traditional chamber ensemble with the instantaneous emotional fluidity and conversation aspects of a jam band who may have a multi decade catalog of hundreds ofwith many pieces of music none of which are written down. Chamber jazz is the closest genre so far.
I perform on multiple instruments usually improvising, except so far on orchestral works.
Here is an excerpt of my orchestral work called The Rise Prelude recorded at Juilliard.
Howard studied studied acoustics and engineering with Amar Bose at MIT and music with Robert Starer and Jacob Druckman at Brooklyn College, and with Ray Lustig and Dan Ott at the Juilliard School. He has taken piano and guitar jazz master classes with Marion McPartland, Teddy Wilson, Kenny Barron, Danielle Perez, Mulgrew Miller, Art Lande, Tuck Andress and Bruce Forman, and in 2021 attended several months of composition Master Classes with Chick Corea. Howard is also the founder of the Silicon Valley International Innovation Institute and has degrees in physics and engineering.
Three of Howard’s chamber music works performed at the Good Shepard Church next door to Juilliard
This piece called Merletian was performed by a String Quartet led by Ken Kubota
This piece for piano and cello is called Anniversary, written for my wife. Ken Kubota on Cello and Howard on Piano
This piece called Interleave was written for for String Quintet and Piano featured the Syberite5 with piano by Howard.